June 9, 2006

            Hall met with Claiborn Crain, assistant to the Administrator of Utilities Programs, and James Newby, Assistant Administrator-Electric Program to discuss the Brazos proposals.  “They are well aware of the opposition by local folks to the Brazos Electric proposal and assured me that there will be ample time for public comments,” Hall said.  “No funding will be awarded until public hearings have been conducted, environmental studies have been conducted, and the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) have made their recommendations.”

            “It is my understanding that this process will take a year or more, which will give local officials and citizens time to give their input,” Hall said.  “The first decision that will have to be made is whether Texas needs additional electricity generation.  If the need is there, the next decision will be how to accomplish that goal.”

            “Brazos Electric has several plans for potential routes through Northeast Texas, and once those plans have been filed, the PUC and ERCOT will have a year to make a decision,” Hall noted.  “I will register my support for local officials and local citizens who are opposed to the route through Fannin and Lamar Counties.”

“Once PUC and ERCOT have ruled, the USDA will then consider whether to recommend a loan, based on the need for generation, the environmental studies, and  other factors – including citizen input, ” Hall said.  “If the PUC and ERCOT ruling is not favorable to my constituents, I will work to overturn that ruling at the Federal level.”

“My foremost priority is to the people in my district,” Hall stressed.  “I will continue to work with them and the agencies involved to find an acceptable solution.”